Bell County Bar Association News

  • 03/17/2020 4:09 PM | Deleted user

    Bell County Clerk's office COVID-19 protocol attached. Please take note.

    Bell Co Clerk COVID-19 Protocol.pdf

  • 03/17/2020 12:33 PM | Deleted user

    Due to various government ordered shutdowns and closures, today I issued orders for the Rosebud, Lott and Mount Calm courts to allow defendants to request a COVID-19 Variance on all mail, fax, window, online, and in-person no-contest and guilty pleas.  

     The order ensures penalties for criminal acts but ensures that necessary financial resources are maintained by citizens so they can effectively respond to the crisis.

     Requests for deferred adjudications and Driver Safety Program are eligible for the variance. The COVID-19 Variance will reduce the fine or special expense fee amount by 50%. Court costs are not eligible for the variance.   Defendants, as always, may continue to exercise their rights and request indigency status, alternatives to payments, and payment plans.  This variance in no way limits a defendant's right to request a trial by judge or jury nor any other right provided by the US and Texas Constitutions. 

     Matthew G. Wright, Presiding Judge 

  • 03/16/2020 4:06 PM | Deleted user

    Please see attached Administrative Order.

    Bell Co COVID-19.pdf

  • 03/16/2020 4:05 PM | Deleted user

    FREE CLE:

    Practicing Law in the Shadow of COVID19 (webcast)
    Mar 20, 2020 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm CT
    MCLE Credit: 1 hr (includes 1 hr ethics)
    MCLE No: 174081355
    Applies to the Texas Bar College.

    Register online via your Bar page.

    ALSO: From Judge Nelson:

    Please let members know that The IV-D Child Support Court will be closed until at least April 1, 2020, in accordance with directives from the Office of Court Administration-Austin.  This time frame may be extended to comply with any Bell County Court Suspensions as mandated by Judge Gordon Adams, Administrative District Judge and/or County Judge David Blackburn.

    Attorneys should contact the Attorney General's Office in Temple to work out reset dates. 

     We appreciate everyone's cooperation during this time and are available to assist and answer any questions that may arise.

    Thank you.

     

    Michael J. Nelson

    Associate Judge

    P. O. Box 1145

    Belton, TX 76513

    Tel:  (254)-933-5373

    Fax: (254)-933-5374



  • 03/16/2020 3:58 PM | Deleted user
    TEMPORARY CHANGES REGARDING THE PRETRIAL DOCKET IN CCL#2 

     Beginning March 16, 2020 and continuing until April 10, 2020 the following changes will be implemented regarding the Wednesday afternoon docket in the CCL#2..

     These changes are intended to reduce the number of people at Court proceedings

     Attorneys are encouraged to use alternate means already in place, such as Case Setting Forms and Agreed Motions for Continuance,  to make pretrial and revocation announcements.

     The defendant’s appearance at the Wednesday 1:15 p.m. docket is waived for pretrial and revocation announcements until after April 10, 2020.

     All Jury Trial and Jury Docket Calls between now and April 10, 2020 will be rescheduled.  Attorneys will need to contact the County Court Coordinator for new settings.

     All hearing other than the 1:15 Pretrial and Revocation Announcement scheduled for March 18, 2020 will be rescheduled.

     Further information regarding the docket will be forthcoming.

  • 02/13/2020 10:23 AM | Cynthia Parker (Administrator)

    Attn attorneys who practice in CPS Court.

    See the attached Announcement regarding the Lifesize Video Conference system.

    If you have questions, give me a call.

    Lifesize procedures.pdf

    Cindi Parker

  • 02/13/2020 9:24 AM | Cynthia Parker (Administrator)

    Please see the attached letter from Judge Jones, Judge Sims and Judge Cornish regarding the policy and procedure for attorney fee vouchers for the court appointed attorneys handling CPS Cases.

    Also there is a fillable PDF form under Members Area/Forms for your convenience.  Please make sure that you discard all forms with Judge Van Orden's name and select the proper judge when submitting your form.

    Policy and procedures fee vouchers 21120.pdf

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.


    Cindi Parker

    Court Coordinator

    Centex Child Protection Courts

    254-933-6726 (Office)


  • 01/14/2020 3:33 PM | Cynthia Parker (Administrator)

    The Bell County Bar Association will hosting a Public Forum on February 7, 2020 in the 146th Judicial District Courtroom.

    Hope to see you there.

    See attached flyer.


    Cindi Parker

    Co-Executive Director


    PUBLIC FORUM.pdf

  • 12/12/2019 3:11 PM | Cynthia Parker (Administrator)

    The CPS Judges will be offering a presentation on Drug Test Results used in CPS cases on Friday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m.  See attached flyer for more details.

    This presentation is not approved for CLE.

    DRUG TEST PRESENTATION.pdf

  • 11/21/2019 7:28 AM | Cynthia Parker (Administrator)

    Come join us at Deadfish Grill on December 12th for our Annual Christmas Party.  See invite below.


    2019 BCBA Christmas Party Invitation.pdf

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The Bell County Bar Association is a non-profit organization. Post Office Box 282, Belton, Texas 76513